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Vol. 44 December 23, 2019 Number 50
HAPPY N-E-W YEAR
Dan Winkler
A new year is just about here with its chance to reflect, resolve and
change for the better! We call them “resolutions.”
A good friend and his wife recently gave me a copy of H. Jackson
Brown, Jr.’s THE COMPLETE LIFE’S LITTLE INSTRUCTION BOOK. It
starts off with some excellent ideas for the New Year.
1. Compliment three people every day.
2. Have a dog (Okay, we might not all agree on that one.)
3. Watch a sunrise at least once a year.
4. Remember other people’s birthdays.
5. Over-tip the breakfast waitresses. (That might be a stretch, too.)
6. Have a firm handshake.
7. Look people in the eye.
8. Say “Thank you” a lot.
9. Say “Please” a lot.
Could I be bold enough to suggest another resolution? It’s really one for
this new year and for every day of every year.
N –never
E –encourage
W–wickedness!
That’s a tall order when you consider what the New Testament terms
“wicked.”
• Causing someone to stumble spiritually (Matt. 13:41,42, 49, 50).
• Holding a grudge, refusing to forgive another (Matt. 18:32).
• Sexual impurity (1 Corinthians 5:1, 13; 2 Peter 2:7)
• Twisting the Bible to say what we want (2 Peter 3:16-17).
• An egotistical “my way or the highway” attitude (3 John 10).
The Bible teaches us to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). If we never
encourage anything that is wicked, it will help make for a better new year, a
better you, and a better me.
www.ds-churchofchrist.org/2007_bulletins/30_Dec_07.html
ELDERS
Mike Childers..............397-6453
Dennis Hallmark .........255-5557
Mark Hitt.....................322-0917
Bobby Lindley.............260-9193
DEACONS
Wade Bryan.................419-5552
William Harris.............416-8149
Ricky Lindsey .............255-8136
Jeff Mansel..................871-0357
Jimmy Spearman.........840-8957
Michael Wilson ...........891-0891
PREACHER
Barry Kennedy ... (931)787-7108
SECRETARY
Renee Childers
Office...........................842-6116
Fax...............................842-7091
E-MAIL
eastmaincoc38804@gmail.com
WEB PAGE
eastmaincoc.com
SUNDAY SERVICES
Worship....................... 9:00 a.m.
Bible Classes............. 10:15 a.m.
Worship..................... 11:15 a.m.
Singing or Devotional
Last Sunday of the Month
MID-WEEK
SERVICES
Wednesday Classes .....7:00 p.m.
EAST MAIN CHURCH OF CHRIST
1606 East Main Street
P. O. Box 1761
Tupelo, Mississippi 38802
“Thou shalt observe to do all that they inform thee”
(Deut. 17:10)

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birthdays. In ancient Egypt, the birthdays of the
Pharaohs were considered as “holy” days, with no
work being done (McClintock and Strong 1969,
817). Moreover, as John Lightfoot noted: “The
Jewish schools esteem the keeping of birthdays a
part of idolatrous worship” (1979, 217).
Does this mean that if a man in this era
gives his wife a birthday present or if we have a
birthday party for a child, we have compromised
our faith? Surely no one will so allege.
What about the man who takes his wife
out for dinner and gives her flowers on
Valentine’s Day? Has he yielded to the Romish
dogma regarding “Saint Valentine”? When we
place flowers on the graves of our loved ones, is
this the same as the Hindu practice of putting
food on the graves of one’s ancestors? Does
having a wedding ceremony in a church building
imply that we endorse the Catholic notion that
marriage is a “church sacrament”? Surely these
queries must be answered negatively.
Practices can change with time and mean
different things to different people. We must not
compromise the truth, but neither are we
permitted to make spiritual laws for others.
Works Cited
Lightfoot, John. 1979. A Commentary on the New
Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica. Vol.
2. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.
McClintock, John and James Strong. 1969. Cyclo-
pedia of Biblical, Theological, and Eccle-
siastical Literature. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker.
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ALL Youth Caroling
ALL the youth of the
congregation are invited to
meet in the multipurpose
room this Thursday, Dec. 19
at 5:00 p.m. for supper &
then to go Christmas
caroling to some of the
senior members’ homes.
Men’s Tool Swap
The men are invited to the
multipurpose room this
Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 6:30
p.m. for a Tool Swap. Please
bring a $20 wrapped tool to
play “dirty Santa” and your
own meat to grill. Sides will
be provided.
Community Outreach
The Community Outreach Program would like to
thank the elders and each member of this
congregation for the overwhelming support of the
KIDS’ CHRISTMAS PROJECT! There were 73
children from area schools and Pinevale serviced
through this project.
Girls’ Joyful Rebellion
The girls’ Joyful Rebellion group
are invited to Beth Reed’s home
this Friday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. for
a Christmas party. RSVP to Beth
ASAP. Please bring a wrapped
pair of Christmas socks.
John Duke stationed in Long Beach, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Iraq
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea
January 2020
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Larry Presley
Genesis 1-3
2
Haley
Underwood
Genesis 4-7
3
Wesley Bass
Greg Gholston
Genesis 8-11
4
Genesis 12-15
5
Carester Hallmark
John Mounce
Visitation Team #2
Genesis 16-18
6
Mike Ratliff
Genesis 19-20
7
Genesis 21-23
8
Genesis 24-25
9
Malachi Millard
Karen Mix
Ladies’ fellowship
@ 6 pm in mp
room
Genesis 26-28
10
Barbara Bishop
Annie Dilworth
Genesis 29-30
11
Callie Bennett
Judy Jones
Sr. Youth-Hockey
game in
Birmingham
Genesis 31-32
12
Meredith Hitt
Area Youth
Meeting @ Oak
Ridge 5 pm
Genesis 33-35
13
Shelby Miller
Genesis 36-38
14
Jason Dickinson
Genesis 39-41
15
Genesis 42-44
16
Genesis 45-47
17
Genesis 48-50
18
Exodus 1-3
19
Jr. Youth/ES Devo.
Visitation Team #3
Nursing Home
Singing
Exodus 4-6
20
Josh Kennedy
Ashton Smith
Exodus 7-9
21
Exodus 10-12
22
Sarah Minor
James & Joyce
Burney
Exodus 13-15
23
Bethany Bryan
Exodus 16-18
24
Jordan Laney
Exodus 19-21
25
Exodus 22-24
26
Ava Bates
Bettye Davis
Melea Mansel
Hunter Underwood
Grief Seminar
Visitation Team #4
Exodus 25-27
27
Exodus 28-29
28
Stephanie
Baldwyn
Exodus 30-31
29
Exodus 32-34
30
Karen Bryan
Exodus 35-37
31
Exodus 38-40
Grief Seminar Jan. 24-26
Speaker: Ron Williams

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Daily Bible Reading
December 25..........................................Revelation 4-5
December 26..........................................Revelation 6-7
December 27........................................Revelation 8-11
December 28......................................Revelation 12-14
December 29......................................Revelation 15-17
December 30......................................Revelation 18-20
December 31......................................Revelation 21-22
January 1.....................................................Genesis 1-3
January 2.....................................................Genesis 4-7
January 3...................................................Genesis 8-11
January 4.................................................Genesis 12-15
January 5.................................................Genesis 16-18
January 6.................................................Genesis 19-20
January 7.................................................Genesis 21-23
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Kyle Smith (Dec. 27), Hayden
Tindall (Dec. 27), Marla Harris (Dec. 28), Ander
Bass (Dec. 29), Asher Bass (Dec. 30), Shauna
McMickin (Dec. 30), Terry Kingsley (Dec. 31),
Larry Presley (Jan. 1), Haley Underwood (Jan. 2),
Wesley Bass (Jan. 3), Greg Gholston (Jan. 3), Carester
Hallmark (Jan. 5), John Mounce (Jan. 5), Mike Ratliff
(Jan. 6). Anniversaries: Kent & Missy Nichols (Dec.
30), Robert & Betty Kingsley (Dec. 31).
Our Sick
Samantha Oliphant, Barbara Wright’s grand-
daughter, fell and broke her back last week.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Pete Barber, Jean Mounce,
Steve Kelly, Frankie Estes, Donny Dulaney, Adam
McCurley, Mary Jordan, Bretta Robinson, James
Goddard, Bill Goff, Leroy Brown, Jadon Parish, Jerry
Smith, Mitch Maclean, Mary Starz, Sheba Tuggers,
Ruby Clark, Homer Smith, Jill Rice, Ann Letteri
Nursing Homes
Evelyn Willis, Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway,
Shirley McCarthy, Mary Southern, Veona Harris,
James Nichols
Thank You Notes
Thank you for all the calls, cards, and food that
have been brought by, the special video from Hugh
and the carolers, and mostly for your prayers. It is
all appreciated so much. Please continue to keep
me in your prayers. In Christian love,
Mary Lou Walden
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Dear East Main family,
We were humbled by all your expressions of
love & concern during the passing of our Daddy
Audie. We appreciate all the visits, gifts, cards, calls
& texts we received. We are most appreciative of
your prayers. We cherish our spiritual family at
East Main! God bless you all! Mark Hitt, Lori
Sheffield & all the Hitt family
Youth Led Services
This Sunday, Dec. 29 will be Youth Led
Services at our 11:15 a.m. services. Josh Kennedy
will be delivering the sermon and other young men
in the congregation will directing the singing,
praying, Scripture reading and announcements.
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Nancy Haywood in
the loss of her daughter, Bretta Robinson, on Dec.
17. Funeral services were held Dec. 21 at Waters
Funeral Home in Baldwyn. Bretta was also the
sister of David Ramseyer. Keep them in your
prayers.
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Outreach Item for December
Deodorant
John Duke stationed in Long Beach, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Iraq
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea

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Men to Serve Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 a.m.
Announcements...................................Mike Childers
Bible Reading..........................................Tanner Hitt
Opening Prayer ..............................Roger Sanderson
Lord’s Supper
Hugh Scribner & Dale Dulaney
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Andy Baldwyn, Lee DuBois, Ben DuBois
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Larry Bates, Jackson Voyles, Casey Gullett
Lead Singing....................................James Simmons
Closing Prayer...........................................Tim Davis
Ushers ..............David Ramseyer & Dillard Scribner
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer ............................ Rommie Dilworth
Closing Prayer........................................Mike Ratliff
Lead Singing.........................................Wesley Bass
Men to Serve Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020 a.m.
Announcements..................................... Wade Bryan
Bible Reading......................................Jake Kennedy
Opening Prayer ..................................Hugh Scribner
Lord’s Supper
Bobby Joe Lindley & Greg Hughes
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Dale Dulaney, Wesley Bass, Asher Bass
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Jimmy Spearman, Jacob Bradley, Casey Gullett
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer...................................... Paul Blansett
Ushers .............................. Joe Minor & Ben DuBois
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer .........................................Tim Davis
Closing Prayer.....................................Scott Childers
Lead Singing....................................Michael Wilson
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Prayer....................................................Harold Roby
Lead Singing........................................ Greg Hughes
Contact William Harris (416-8149) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters ........................ Dennis & Debbie Hallmark
.....................................Mike & Hilda Ratliff
Prepare Lord’s Supper—December............. William
& Marla Harris
Nursery (1st
worship)............. Chevela U. & Twinette W.
(2nd
worship)............................ Alicia & Ashton Smith
Pantry..............................................................Cereal
No bulletin next week!
Two weeks of appointments have
been included this week.
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Prayer.................................................Mark Gilliland
Lead Singing...............................Bobby Joe Lindley
Contact Jeff Mansel (871-0357) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters ......................................Joe & Alicia Smith
..................................Grady & Debbie Vines
Prepare Lord’s Supper—January......................Hugh
& Rachel Scribner
Nursery (1st
worship)...............Amy & Katy Beth Voyles
(2nd
worship).................... Amanda & Lexie Dickinson
Pantry............................................... Instant potatoes
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 12-18-19............................................147
Sunday 1st
Worship, 12-22-19 .............................217
Sunday Bible Class ..............................................184
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................178
Contribution (budget $7,900)..........................$9,207